We are writing to ask for support from the South Portland voters on the June 9 election for the $5.8 million bond for maintenance improvements for Memorial Middle School, Mahoney Middle School and South Portland High School; and for the school budget referendum.

The bond will address critical health and safety issues such as upgrading sprinkler systems, improving fire alarms, emergency lighting, building security, and bringing emergency exits up to code. These improvements will have a direct impact on the safety of our students should a serious situation occur. The bond will also increase electrical capacity to ensure that the schools have the necessary power for today’s technology. A school should not have to unplug equipment in one area in order to use computers in another. While this bond is only a first step toward addressing even greater structural issues that exist in the three schools, it is a critical step. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges recently put South Portland High School on warning status due to the deterioration of the facility. We as a community must show not only the accrediting body, but also our children, grandchildren,and future generations that we value them, their education, and their futures.

The June 9 ballot will also include the state-mandated vote to approve the 2009-2010 school budget. We are pleased to present a school budget that has a zero percent increase on the needs from taxes. In this difficult economy, the School Board, superintendent and administrators worked diligently to produce a budget with no tax increase. We now need your support by voting yes to approve this budget.

The School Board encourages all taxpayers and voters to be fully informed. We have posted additional information on our Web site, www.spsd.org.

We ask everyone to vote June 9t, at the South Portland Community Center, in support of your schools.

South Portland Board of Education

Stacy Gato, Chair

Ralph Baxter Jr.

Karen Callaghan

Rick Carter

Michael Eastman

James Gilboy

Sara Goldberg